Hunter Education changes

[danderson]

How many other hunter education instructors are baffled by the new changes to the program.

[CedarPants]

What changed?

[dreamingbig]

  What changed? Please tell us more.  Anything making it harder to get kids involved in hunting is something we need to push back against.

[steen]

From what I understand they haven't changed yet but are talking about certain changes.

[CedarPants]

Anyone know the changes being discussed then?  I have the same viewpoint as dreaminbig and am also looking to enroll my oldest this fall.  Any info is appreciated. 

[huntnfmly]

How many other hunter education instructors are baffled by the new changes to the program.

what are they?

[arrowflinger]

I have heard that they want to Standardize all classes. Meaning the same amount of hours, what is considered live fire and what firearms to shoot during and the trail course.......That is just hear say right now. I know that they have a committee formed of some of the old timers (meaning instructors that have been involved for a long time) to work things out. Don't think it will get harder for kids. Sorry the best I can do right now.....Oh I know a person on the committee.

remember, Just hear say.

[CedarPants]

Thank you for the info arrowflinger, will be interesting to see if anything develops.  Keep us posted if you could 

I see you are from Orting - I'll be there next weekend.  Try and save me some good BBQ'n weather 

[arrowflinger]

CedarPants, I will do what I can........maybe you can bring some nice weather with you.

[CedarPants]

I should have some room in the truck, so you got yourself a deal

[leed]

I'm completely baffled and already sent a letter to the Advisory Group. I'm not at all pleased in the direction. I agree some standardization across the state may be in line.  The things they are looking at and WDFW is encouraging is going to cause the loss of seasoned instructors when one their goals is to keep or increase the number os instructors.  WDFW is full of fluff and folks who need to get a new job. We need people in positions who actually hunt and/or fish and know where we are coming from.  Folks who will get out of the office and into the field! They need to be on the ground acting like wildlife warriors and not behind desks pushing papers and writing m,anuals with unachievable goals because of a lack of money and/or support. AGGH! you got me started! Sorry for the rant.

[arrowflinger]

No worries, changes haven't been made yet and we need more people to get involved and help get this going in the right direction. Hence the advisory board.

[ghosthunter]

Well it is official. I got a letter from Director Anderson and he fully supports the move to remove all working Firearms from Hunter Education Classes.
I expect them to tell everyone at IST in Yakima and have a completion date of July 2013. After that you will never touch a working firearm in Hunter Ed Class. They also want to do away with any live fire days.
They are spending thousands on firearms with no firing pin.
I am told only on set of five per class.

So that is it for me, when the final word comes that I am not allowed to use working firearms in my classes than I am done,

[danderson]

Its time for all hunter education instructors to let there voices be heard, the program will not work without live fire training, I  cannot continue  instructing if this becomes reality, the enviros have taken over the hunter education program, we should have a poll asking our fellow sportsman for a no confinance vote .

[Bob33]

Live fire is not being eliminated.